Early-morning crash kills 1 on Northshore

An Alabama woman died after the vehicle she was riding in collided with a tractor-trailer on I-10 near Slidell early this morning, says Louisiana State Police.

The crash killed 37-year-old Brittany Rawson of Elberta, AL.

"The preliminary investigation revealed that the crash occurred as a 2014 BMW X1, driven by 42-year-old Andre Fontana, was eastbound on Interstate 10," said Trooper William Huggins. "At the same time, a 2008 Freightliner tractor-trailer was also eastbound on Interstate 10, directly in front of the BMW. For reasons still under investigation, the BMW struck the rear of the Freightliner’s trailer."

Troopers say Rawson was not wearing a seat belt, nor was Fontana. Fontana suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

The driver of the Freightliner was unhurt.

Routine toxicology samples were collected. The investigation remains ongoing.

"While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that properly wearing your seat belt will dramatically reduce your chance of being injured or killed in a crash," said Huggins.  "Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Properly wearing your seat belt is one of the most effective ways to save your life and reduce crash injuries."